The Team @ RaynerSpencerMills
The team has many years’ experience in financial services or related areas and strives to deliver a first class service to al l our
clients. Below is a summary of the how we split the workload and further on there are more formal details of our experience
and qualifications, plus a recent mug shot!
Most of the team is based in Yorkshire, whilst Graham lives in Dublin where he also has his own consultancy business and is
actively involved in asset management for a number of Ireland based clients and Nigel is based in Norwich.
Due to our wide range of business connections we find ourselves travelling to London and around the UK to liaise with fund
groups, product providers and numerous platform operators, plus of course our e xpanding list of Adviser clients and
prospects. We also maintain close links with our strategic partners, trade and professional bodies plus the trade press
through our PR agency.
Geoff leads the business development, marketing and client relationship side of the business ably assisted by Nigel.
Ken, Graham and Stewart are responsible for managing our Rated Fund Service and the face to face meetings with the
numerous fund managers, together with our outsourced investment solutions . Desk-based research and analysis is provided
by Andrew.
Caroline and Angela focus on the client service delivery.
The team’s full profiles follow:
Ken Rayner - BA (Hons) Economics, ACII, IMC
After graduating from Leeds University with a Degree in Economics and Economic History Ken joined Sun Life which provided an
excellent grounding in the life, pension and investment industry.
He joined Bradford & Bingley in 1990, where he held a number of product and marketing roles and latterly had responsibility for
all financial services product development and pricing. In addition he was Investment Fund Manager for Bradford & Bingley’s
PEP and ISA Discretionary Management business where he controlled in excess of £700m of clients’ funds.
Ken sits on the Investment Committees for a number of our key advisory clients helping them deliver their investment strategies.
In his spare time Ken has a busy family life, plays hockey and runs the odd marathon.
Graham O’Neill – BA (Hons) Economic Analysis History
Graham graduated from the University of Kent with a Degree in Economic Analysis History and Policy and then joined London &
Manchester as an Investment Trainee. He later joined Phillips Drew before gaining a position with GRE as a UK based fund
manager for their newly launched Irish funds. He then moved to Abbey Life Ireland where he was instrumental in restructuring
their investment operations taking personal responsibility for managing their Managed and large Equity funds.
Graham runs his own investment research consultancy in Ireland where he lives with his wife Linda and also works with both UK
and Irish based Distributors and asset managers.
Rayner Spencer Mills Financial Consulting Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales under Company Registration Number 5227656.
Rayner Spencer Mills Research Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales under Company Registration Number 7137872.
Both companies have their Registered Office at Yorkshire House, 41 Keighley Road, Silsden, West Yorkshire, BD20 0EH.
'Rayner Spencer Mills' is a trading style for both companies.
Graham is well known in the investment world and is very highly regarded by fund managers across the industry. He is a Director
of Rayner Spencer Mills Research Limited which oversees our Rated Fund Service and other research services for the fund
management community.
In his spare time Graham loves the outdoor life and walking in the glorious countryside around Dublin.
Stewart Smith – Investment Research Manager
Stewart is part of our investment research team working closely with Ken and Graham playing a key role in the ongoing review of
our Rated Fund Service together with the provision of bespoke services to our adviser clients.
Having graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Financial Services, Stewart joined Bates Investment Services
in 2000 and became part of the internal research team responsible for fund and product research, including construction of the
recommended fund and product list for the company’s financial advisers. This involved face-to-face meetings with fund
managers plus attendance at several investment conferences and as a result he has gained a wealth of knowledge which will be
invaluable in his role at Rayner Spencer Mills.
Stewart is a keen cricketer and enjoys a day at the races!
Andrew Robinson ACSI – Analyst
Andrew provides research and analysis for Ken, Graham and Stewart. He joined us after working in industry and prior to that had
worked in the Strategic Planning team at Halifax/HBOS. He maintained a close interest in financial services, studying for and
completing exams for the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
In his spare time Andrew plays squash enjoys walking, reading and watching sci-fi films.
Caroline Spencer - BA (Hons) Economics, AFPC
Caroline graduated from Leeds University with a Degree in Economics and Business Management and then joined Commercial
Union where she worked for four years as a Broker Consultant in the Leeds area.
She joined the Leeds Permanent Building Society and then on its merger with the Halifax spent four years with Halifax Financial
Services where she was responsible for research and analysis for both the tied and independent channels. Caroline joined
Bradford & Bingley in 2000 where she continued her research role in support of the IFA salesforce which at one stage numbered
in excess of 1,000 advisers.
Caroline lives just north of Skipton and enjoys the lovely Yorkshire countryside taking her dog Izzy for long walks. Or is it the dog
that takes her!
Angela Wellock – Client Services Assistant
Angela assists Caroline with Client Service support and joined us after 25 years with HMRC.
At HMRC, Angela was responsible for managing and leading a team to ensure the necessary quality controls and checks were
being met. She has always been involved in the service and quality area and received the HMRC Pacesetter Award for
outstanding team work and support to colleagues. It is these skills and qualities that she brings to the team.
Angela has a busy family life and loves the odd trip to Scarborough and beyond!
Geoff Mills – ACII
Geoff joined Eagle Star as a Graduate Trainee in 1969. He moved to take a role at Phoenix Assurance where he stayed for twelve
years progressing to Branch Manager at their Sheffield branch. He joined Leeds Permanent Building Society as Insurance Services
Manager and became Managing Director of their IFA subsidiary company in 1989. After the merger with the Halifax he was
appointed Operations Director for the combined IFA business.
He joined Bradford & Bingley in 1999 leading the Group Financial Services team which had responsibility for the development of
strategy for the IFA channel, product development and research and overall advisory support. During this time Geoff has also
contributed to many industry forums on IT, Distribution and market issues.
Rayner Spencer Mills Financial Consulting Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales under Company Registration Number 5227656.
Rayner Spencer Mills Research Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales under Company Registration Number 7137872.
Both companies have their Registered Office at Yorkshire House, 41 Keighley Road, Silsden, West Yorkshire, BD20 0EH.
'Rayner Spencer Mills' is a trading style for both companies.
Geoff lives in north Leeds and has a busy life outside of work – most of which might involve running and also the odd pint in his
village pub!
Nigel Baines – Director of Business Development
Nigel has over 30 years’ experience in the provider sector having held a number of senior roles at Norwich Union, including
Market Development Manager for Savings & Investments, National Account Manager and Head of Centralised Distribution.
During this time he acquired wide experience of the product life cycle from research phase through to design and launch, plus an
in-depth knowledge of the UK Intermediary market from local to Board level. He has also delivered sales and conference
presentations to a number of National IFAs.
To add to this practical experience Nigel has completed residential studies in Sales Management and Marketing Management at
Management Centre Europe (Brussels), Warwick Business School and Cranfield School of Management.
Nigel lives in Norwich enjoying the countryside and the occasional game of bowls – plus the odd trip to France to replenish his
wine cellar!
RaynerSpencerMills
01535 656 555
www.raynerspencermills.co.uk
November 2012
Rayner Spencer Mills Financial Consulting Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales under Company Registration Number 5227656.
Rayner Spencer Mills Research Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales under Company Registration Number 7137872.
Both companies have their Registered Office at Yorkshire House, 41 Keighley Road, Silsden, West Yorkshire, BD20 0EH.
'Rayner Spencer Mills' is a trading style for both companies.